MILWAUKEE -- Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., and Triton Systems Inc.,
Chelmsford, Mass., have collaborated to create a new product to protect buildings and occupants
from terrorist bombings.

The invention is a high-strength, rubber-like coating that is fire-retardant and can be sprayed onto existing walls, allowing buildings to survive significant explosions. The coating is designed for buildings with concrete block walls as a retrofit to prevent wall collapse and fragmentation, which can cause significant casualties.

After two earlier tests at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., the coating was recently tested at Fort McCoy, near Tomah, Wis., allowing Congressional observers to see the benefits of the coating firsthand. The demonstration featured a large concrete building that had one room protected by the blast coating and one room left unprotected. After a large blast was detonated outside the structure, the unprotected room was full of debris. The coated wall, meanwhile, remained completely intact with no internal debris inside the protected room.

From Marquette, the project was led by Charles Wilkie, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, a premier fire researcher for more than 40 years. His research facility is focused on the study of polymers (plastic) and how combinations of different materials can be used to effectively reduce smoke and flame in a fire. Triton Systems brought a material science and chemistry capability, as well as unique fire retardant materials to the project, and has the expertise to transition the product to market. Tests of the coating are being done with the assistance of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

According to Triton officials, the blast coating is in the final stages of development and testing; it is expected to be ready for military use in the upcoming year. A final test will occur later this year in Florida. The company also believes the product could find widespread use in government and private buildings that are at high risk from terrorist attacks.

About Triton Systems, Inc.

Triton Systems, Inc. (Triton) was founded in 1992 as one of the leading applied research and development companies dedicated to creating products and processes for the US government and commercial markets. Since then, Triton has evolved into an integrated applied R&D and product development firm with a technology venturing arm and a global expertise in myriad of markets. The company excels at creating and applying innovation to meet customer's toughest
requirements - with the desired results - all within the essential time needed.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located in Milwaukee. More than 11,000
students are enrolled in nationally recognized undergraduate, graduate and professional
programs. In 2009, U.S. News and World Report ranked Marquette 77th among the nation's top
universities. Washington Monthly calls Marquette a top fifty school for "contributions to the
public interest."